Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-10-27
DOING HIS BEST.

The young man "who does the best
his circumstances Will allow" makes
even that stepping-stone To success.
When poverty Obliged Stephen "A.
Douglas, a boy of fifteen years, TO give
up all hope of entering college, he in
dentured himself rs an apprentice to n
cabinet maker. For two years he
worked at his trade with such industry
rs to become Il iirst-rate cabinet.maker.
A feeble body and poor health forced
him out OF the shop. When he discov-
cred that he could not be mechanic he
determined to study law. lie began a
course of classical studies ut M acade-
my, and carried it on with the applica-
tion which enabled him within four
years to master nearly IN entire colleg'-
ate course. During that time he also
persistentN followed course of law
studies, under the instruction of an
able lawyer.
At twenty years of age he left the
academy aud law office to seek his for
tune IN that vaguely defined region
known as "lhe West" lie wandered
through Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louis
vile and ST. Louis, seeking in vain for
somo "openiug" through which he
might pass to selt.support.
In his pilgrimage he arrived at Jack.
sonville, H., with thirty-seyen cents in
his pocket, and he himself unknown 10
any person in the town. lie sought
employme as a law clerk, Offering his
services for board and lodging. No
lawyer wanted him. He sold his school
books TO pay for bread and bed, and
walked to Winchester on cold Decem-
Der day.
The morning after his arrival he left
his lodgings to find employment. AS
he approached the public square, he
saw crowd, and joined it. An ad-
ministrator, about to sell bg auction
the stock in trade of deceased merch-
ant, was halted by the want of some
man competent to keep record of
sales, and to make out the bills of pur-
chaSers.
No person in the crowd, though sew
eral of them had been asked, was will
ing to undertake the duty. The ad-
ministrator was embarrassed and the
would be buyers impatient.
"P'raps this 'ere stranger" said Il
man, pointing to young Douglas,
"would do the jo6. He looks rs if he
could read, write and cipher"
The administrator insisted on him 10
serve and rendered him the liberal SAL
ary of two dollars day. He consent
ed the auction lasted three days, and
the temporary clerk had six dollars in
his pocket. no mean sum for man
whose cash amounted TO thirty-seven
cents. But he gained more than mon
ey. The promptness with which he
discharged his duties won for hIm the
admiration of buyers, administrator
and auctioneer.
1t was in the days when President
Jackson Was fighting the United States
Bank, and party feelings were at fever
heat. At intervals during the sale and
in the evenings he joined in the politi-
Cal conversations which took place.
The ability and the good nature he
showed in defending the President
caused the old farmers to take him TO
their hearts. 1t was discovered that lie
was poor and wished TO open school.
In few days his new friends provided
him with forty pupils, each OF whom
was to pay three dollars per quarter.
While teaching school he devoted his
evenings to studying the statutes of
Illinois. On Saturday afternoons he
acted as counsel before the justices
court. At the end of three months he
abandoned his school and opened law
office. The money he had received for
teaching, together with his fees for le-
gal services, justified him in applying
to the Supreme Court for license to
practice law.
In seven years from the date of his
application he occupied a seat upon the
Supreme Court bench, and in ten years
he Went back to the East as member
of Congress. His subsequent career as
a United States Senator, IA leader of the
Democratic party. and Presidential
candidate, is well known. Doubtless it
is spotted With errors and faults, for he
was but a man ; but it illustrates that
honor and fame come to him who, in
stead of repining at his situation, uses
it as fulcrum. Youths Companion.